Senior in political science and psychology Khalid Alsomali is a Coog Radio DJ from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday. Coog Radio is a student run radio station that broadcasts from the second floor of the University Center. | Hendrick Rosemond/The Daily Cougar
Coog Radio, UH’s non-profit, student-run radio station, was founded in fall 2011 by Conner Clifton, Markley Rogers and Matt Womack.
The station offers more than 30 shows per week broadcasted by 40 DJs. Officially 1-year-old this fall, the station has prepared to celebrate with new material for airplay.
“This semester, students will definitely hear more from Coog Radio,” said Joyce Lin, the PR and Marketing Director.
“We’re planning on collaborating with different organizations like (Student Video Network) and UH sports. The station is also celebrating its one-year anniversary this fall — it’s going to be on September 20 at Mango’s, and we’re going to have a couple of local bands.”
Since its debut, the station has been featured in Rice University’s student newspaper, The Rice Thresher, and in Study Breaks magazine.
Though Coog Radio does not offer any paid positions, it does offer experience to students interested in the communications field. The station centers around variety programming, which provides something interesting for every listener and prospective DJ.
“Fat Tony was one of our DJs, and he had a pretty big following. Same with Aimee Rivas and her show “Pulse,” which was big with the (electronic dance music) crowd in Houston,” said Music Director Alex Segura.
Coog Radio does not shut down during summer either, as the station is always online. According to Station Director Clinton Blankenship, 17 shows were added over the summer and there are seven more debuting this fall.
“We are on 24/7/365, including leap year,” Blankenship said. “Right now, we are only live while the UC is open, but we are playing music all day, every day.”
Though Coog Radio is a campus organization, it is not limited to UH. Coog Radio participated in Free Press Summer Festival in June and was also honored as Best Music Blog by Houston Press.
Becoming a DJ with Coog Radio can provide not only experience with radio technology but also with the entertainment industry; however, the application process must be completed first.
“Applicants are required to submit a show concept, a 15-song playlist and a top-five song and musician list. Based on that, we choose those who stand out to us for a face- to-face interview,” Lin said. “We are looking for people who have a personality that can be memorable to our listeners.”
Blankenship said Coog Radio aims to be a unique radio station.
“Someone once sent us an application that had nothing but Drake as their set list. That’s not going to get you hired. Our general rule is we do not play mainstream music that has been on terrestrial radio during the last five years.”
Segura believes that Coog Radio serves as a way of keeping UH students connected.
“Radio has the power to bring us together and rejoice in the human experience,” Segura said. “It has the power to really bring our school together and fulfill this promise we made, and Coog Radio will be there when it’s met.”
Thanks for the write-up guys! Unfortunately that last quote of mine doesn’t make sense without the full context. Here’s the full statement.
“I always think about a statement Dr. Khator made a few years back. Essentially, she made this promise that “UH would be at the forefront of creating strong cultural, educational and artistic opportunities that benefit students and the city of Houston.” Of course this commitment would need the help of the entire campus, but I feel Coog Radio will be integral to the process. There’s something about the idea of “radio” that is so universal and goes beyond just the fact that we all have one. Radio has the power to bring us together and rejoice in the human experience. It has the power to really bring our school together and fulfill this promise we made, and Coog Radio will be there when it’s met.”
Where can we listen to Coog Radio?
They need to broadcast it in some buildings like the UC or UC Satellite or something. I’ve considered listening to it a lot of times, but it’s not something I put as a high priority to seek on the web.